Darien Blight Review Board reviews multiple properties, recommends foreclosures and notes ongoing fines

The Darien Blight Review Board met Jan. 14 in Room 206 at Darien Town Hall and reviewed multiple open blight files, with ex officio member Andrew Pepe reporting on the status of ongoing enforcement and foreclosure actions.

Pepe told the board that File 16-001 is in foreclosure, with no change in the property’s condition and fines continuing to accrue. He said File 17-011 has "significant debris" visible from the street and recommended that the board refer the matter to the Board of Selectmen for foreclosure; the Selectmen had not yet acted. For File 17-019 Pepe reported a vehicle that had been in the driveway is gone, no demolition application has been filed, fines continue to accrue, and he recommended foreclosure.

On File 18-004, Pepe reported that blight conditions remain unchanged, listing scaffolding, a construction trailer, boats, debris and a deteriorated tent. He said foreclosure proceedings for that property are underway and fines are continuing to accrue; Pepe added that he delivered the office file to Town Counsel following a Freedom of Information request from the property owner.

Pepe also reported no change in File 21-001, where foreclosure is active, fines are ongoing and the property owner did not appear. For File 23-001 he said an appeal is pending: the hearing has concluded and briefs are to be submitted.

The board approved the minutes of the Dec. 10, 2025 meeting on a motion by Jim Cameron, seconded by Sue Okie, and adjourned at 5:40 p.m. on a motion by Cameron, seconded by Okie.

The items discussed will proceed according to the existing enforcement and foreclosure processes and, where noted, will await action from the Board of Selectmen or Town Counsel. No additional public testimony or votes on foreclosure motions were recorded at the meeting.